Food and Recipes

May 4, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News By Lisa Virtue

Why Avoid the Noodles? Healthy Vegetable Noodles

Why Avoid the Noodles? Healthy Vegetable Noodles Summer is a time for eating light, refreshing meals. In this season, I like to eat more raw foods, and feel inspired to create natural noodle dishes!! These noodles are different than typical store-bought, dried wheat noodles. I’m talking about fresh vegetable spirals! The only device you need is a spiralizer, though you could also make do with a peeler or grater. Vegetable noodles can be made from any firm vegetable or even fruit, such as carrot, beet, turnip, daikon, jicama, potato, squash, apple, or the most popular of all, zucchini. The larger the vegetable...

April 26, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Rich Ralph

Genetic Modification in the Food We Eat

Chances are you’ve heard the term “Genetic Engineering” or “genetically modified”. And chances are also that you’ve heard the many ways this incredible technology can benefit our society. But have you ever stopped to consider how this technology really works, what it is actually doing, and the potential dangers involved in tampering with the genetics of our food? I agree that the concepts and intentions behind genetic engineering are noble. But even the most noble ideas and causes must be closely examined in order to determine the risks and consequences. To understand the catastrophic possibilities of genetic modification, we must first understand...

March 26, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Cucumber Matcha Pineapple Smoothie

I’ve been having such a blast today creating new recipes in my kitchen such as a pineapple smoothie and dancing to Easy-E. Such a blast, in fact, that I need to refuel before heading to a couple of yoga classes tonight. As I opened my fridge I got to thinking.. what would Easy E do? Just joshing you. I started to think about a quick combination I could make in my kitchen right now that would provide me with the most energy before class starts in a few short hours. As I dedicate more to my yoga practice, I’ve been paying attention to...

March 21, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Kitchari: A Healing Food in Ayurveda

Kitchari is the classical Ayurvedic panacea, eaten whenever there is ill health or during a therapeutic regimen such as panch karma and detoxification. Essentially made from rice, kitchari is a universal food found in other cultures, with similar sounding names such as ‘kushari’ in the Middle East and ‘congee’ in China. There are an infinite array of variations, and based on the herbs and spices chosen, can be prepared to reduce vata, pitta or kapha. The following recipe is definitely more Indian-inspired, using herbs and spices to enhance digestion. Prepared with whole grain mung and brown rice, kitchari has a...

March 15, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Lisa Virtue

Like Almond Milk? You Will Love Almond-Macadamia Milk

Almond milk is incredibly delicious. But almond-macadamia milk is beyond words. You have to taste it to understand the sacredness of this drink. And it’s no surprise really, since almonds were sacred to the Romans too—they would shower them upon newlyweds as a fertility charm. This is why we see them at present day weddings, (often covered in a thick shell of sugar, unfortunately). Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fat, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin E, and they are 20% protein. Almonds are a source of amygdalin, also known as laetrile, a component said to fight cancer. Studies have also found almonds to be...

December 18, 2013 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Vanishing of the Bees and How it Relates to Autism

I went to see the Vanishing of the Bees last week with my teenage daughter. She came as a favor to her “composting- buy at the local farmers’ market- mother”, but walked away educated and engaged. Ever since, she happily takes out the food scraps for composting. Click here to watch the Vanishing of the Bees movie trailer According to the movie, approximately one-third of the food produced in the world is dependent on honeybees for pollination and increased crop yields. Bees are an essential part of modern agriculture and their economic contribution is valued over $15 billion. We were amazed...

November 24, 2013 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Recipes for Health: Roast Salmon

One of our favorite methods of cooking on the fly is roasting, a method of dry heat cooking that uses an uncovered pan in the oven. It produces a well-browned exterior and, ideally, a moist interior. Roasting fish and vegetables is a quick and easy way to prepare dinner on a busy night. In less than 45 minutes you can have a fresh and delicious meal with minimal clean-up. The trick to making less mess is lining the baking sheets with foil and making simple preparations. Salmon is a rich source of protein and contains a high concentration of healthful omega-3...

November 21, 2013 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day

Water is the most plentiful substance in the human body and can account for over 65% of your cells. With every bodily system depending on it, water is essential for life. Water is required in digestion and absorption of food, circulation of oxygen and nutrients, thermoregulation, metabolism, detoxification and removal of wastes, humidifying the air in your lungs, lubricating and moisturizing your joints and even protecting some vital organs. Your brain is made up of about 90% water, your muscles 75%, and your blood 80%. It is absolutely vital to your health. You are constantly losing water through certain processes such as...

August 21, 2013 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Vega Chlorella: Superfood for A Healthier Generation

What is Chlorella? One of the oldest forms of plant life on earth, chlorella is a unicellular, microscopic, fresh-water green algae, power-packed with nutrition. Chlorella is 68% complete protein, and contains rich stores of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF). Chlorella has been extensively researched in Japan in connection with many of today’s key health concerns. As one of the most popular nutritional supplements in Japan, chlorella has earned its reputation as the ultimate green superfood. Boasting the highest concentration of chlorophyll of any known plant (3 times more per serving than spinach)2, chlorella contains many components essential...

August 12, 2013 In Eliminating Toxins, Food and Recipes, Holistic Health, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Which Hormone Is the Culprit for Fat Distribution?

Contrary to popular belief, hormones play a greater role in weight control than calories do. If you are trying to lose weight, it would make sense to focus your efforts on controlling the hormone responsible for your excess weight. Most people that decide they want to lose weight try the "eat less, exercise more" approach, and a few people get results. Many others just feel hungry and tired, not to mention frustrated. Eating less calories than one burns might work for some, but if the diet is not sufficient in protein, vitamins and minerals, the body will reallocate its resources eating up...